A Savoury Soul: Rachel MacDonald // In Spaces Between

Today is a good good day! Not only is it my 33rd birthday (I don't believe in hiding my age but embracing the wisdom that comes with it!) but I also have Rachel MacDonald from In Spaces Between in the fun seat for a little Q & A. This wonderful human being is one soulful and inspiring individual who is paving the way for many bloggers and coaches alike.

She's been on the spiritual/self-awareness/soul-awakening journey since she was 10 years old! When I read that I thought to myself, 'that is pretty badass and just plain amazing.' I wish I'd leap in that early!

Her words are wise, she demeanor is kind, peaceful and glowing.

Without further ado...

Okay, first things first, you radiate such an authentic happiness and joy, love and kindness. What motivates you to live your truth and shine so bright in the world?

Firstly, thank you so much! What a beautiful thing to say.

I’m a big fan of tuning in to the ‘inner whisper’ and living my life based on where my energy leads me. It’s about following the pull – ‘Yep, that feels good, keep going’ or ‘No, why dontcha pull back there, something about that isn’t feeling right.’

I’m motivated by the idea that if I can empower women to express themselves in a way that’s completely true to them and step into the life of their dreams, then we’re all better off. The world is a brighter, more joyful place when we’re living in alignment with our soul’s purpose.

This quote sums my stance up pretty perfectly: “Ask not what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive...then go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” ― Howard Thurman

How did your journey into self-awareness begin? Was there one thing that happened that made you realize you needed to start turning inward or have you always lived from that place?

I first discovered the world of self-growth/ spirituality/ self-awareness around the age of 10 via my parents who were on a self-inquiry path of their own. It’s funny casting my eyes back there actually – I’m having a flashback of the first personal development conference I attended! I was 12 and remember being the youngest person there (by a long shot) but walking away with pages of goals and insights and this divine a sense of expansiveness. I felt ALIVE.

I’m a seeker – a total information sponge – so this world has interested me ever since, and through ups and downs and all-arounds, I’ve always returned home to positive thinking, spirit/ the Universe (whatever works for you) and truth.

Also: my mother is a counselor so deep, reflective chats have always been our ‘thing.’ There’s really no escaping it.

How long have you been a life + blog coach? What is your favorite thing about coaching? How has it inspired you to be a better person?

I stepped out of the corporate world – which was “home” for 10 years – a few days before Christmas 2012 and kicked off with my first coaching clients in January this year.

My favorite thing? The women I work with. Their energy, enthusiasm, aha! moments, excitement around transforming their lives. Bearing witness to the beauty they are adding, or working towards adding, to the world is an absolute privilege.

How has it inspired me? Starting your own business, any business, but I would say particularly one where you are working intimately with others in a coaching capacity WILL bring up your stuff. I’ve had fears reflected back at me through clients (amazing how synchronicities show up, eh?), future trippy thoughts and days where I’ve wondered if I can possibly send another email or if I might have finally hit my lifetime quota. All that is a compass, showing me where there’s an opportunity to grow. I’m constantly taking pause to review, reflect, scribble on the pages of my journal and work out how I can approach things differently next time (if need be). Every experience is a gift.

What are your non-negotiable when it comes to living a healthy, happy life?

Water, sleep, meditation, an abundance of nutrient-dense foods, plenty of affection, sunshine and moving my body in some way daily.

You mentioned in a recent blog post that September is all about creating an e-course. I’m very excited about that. Can you tell us a little more on what we can expect? You know what – after working pretty intensely (in and around a full coaching schedule) on an eBook that just doubled in size (!) I think September may end up being more about self-care. Ha! I don’t have any concrete dates around the release of the e-course as yet but I’m really excited to be pouring in everything I work with my blog coaching clients on – as well as some life coaching elements – to one beautiful place. Stay tuned.

What does a typical day look like for you?

It’s pretty different every day depending on whether it’s a coaching or a writing day for me, but generally it looks something like this…

5 – 5:15am: Wake up and set the intention for my day (I choose a word to guide me). Whatever pops into my head first is always what I need to embrace.

5:30/ 6am: An hour of exercise, followed by a green juice or smoothie (or both).

7/ 8am: Meditation time. If I don’t do one in the morning, I’ll ensure I make space for it that night.

THEN… work, which can involve anything from one on one coaching, to writing, to planning/ working on creative projects, answering interview q’s and emails, Skype calls and well, pretty much everything in between!

After spending quality time with my husband, we both head to bed by 9 – 9:30pm every night.

In your words, what is A Savoury Soul?

A Savoury Soul is my kinda human! Someone who has a deep awareness that their life is their own creation, that they have the POWER to choose, that every day is to be savoured, relished and celebrated. They’re compassionate, heart-led bundles of joy... the kind of people who light up lives and rooms wherever they go.

Rachel MacDonald is a Life and Blog Coach and creator of In Spaces Between. Problogger deemed her one of the "Top 15 Bloggers to Watch in 2013" and through one-on-one coaching, online programs and upcoming speaking engagements, Rachel's mission is to move women into their magnificence by empowering them to dream bigger, slice through fears and limiting beliefs, connect back up to their true selves and own their greatness.

For more from Rachel, join the In Spaces Between tribe on Facebook and grab your FREE copy of her eBook More Magic, All the Time: 20 Ways to Create Your Best Life Ever by clicking here.

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Don't forget to read Monday's guest post by The Awkward Olive and leave a comment to be entered to get 1-Month 'Build Your Best Life' Coaching from me. More goodies to come this month. Stay tuned!

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Hope, Wisdom, Love, Inspiration: The Simple Things That Get Me Through the Day

I bought the Ironman visor pictured above when I was on The Big Island of Hawaii in 2009. I was there to participate in my first Olympic distance triathlon, The Lavaman, and purchase the visor after finishing 9th in my age group. It was a symbol that even a girl who grew up quitting every sport she tried could still, one day, be a good athlete.

I wear this visor now whenever it's sunny out and I am going on a run. These days, as I train for another triathlon with my husband, I wear the red ring of inspiration to not only keep the sun out of my eyes and off my face but as a reminder of what I am capable of doing. Of why I put on my runners, tie the laces, and hit the rocky dirt road at 7:30 in the morning.

When I'm in the middle of the run and I feel myself starting to lose steam, I simple touch the rim of the visor, adjusting it ever so slightly and I remember what it felt like to run in the blistering hot sun, hundreds of bystanders screaming and shouting anything and everything to help you across that finish line, and I'm back there, in that moment of pure bliss, of accomplishing one of the greatest goals.

That was a defining moment in my life. Not because I did so well but because I did something, for years, I said I would never do. I remember, very clearly, when my sister-in-law signed up for a triathlon and I has so much admiration for her because I didn't think I could actually swim, bike and run all in one event. At the time I didn't think I could do any of the sports in a race for that matter. Then in 2008 I hit a major life block. I felt stuck, sad, alone and completely unhappy with where my life had gone. I grew up with wild dreams of the amazing things I would one day do and here I was, 28 years old and I felt that my life was somewhat of a snooze session. I lived my life from a place of fear and let those feelings hold me back until that one day when I woke up and told myself that something had to change.

I signed up a few weeks later and after leaving my first Team in Training meeting, I drove home asking myself what the hell had I just done?

Wearing the visor is a constant reminder to push beyond my comfort zone. To step into the ring with fear and go head to head. Even if you are scare shitless, do it anyway.

Wearing the visor is a great source of inspiration for me.

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I keep a clear quartz crystal on my desk, sitting right under my computer monitor. It was given to me by my yoga teacher on our first day of teacher training as a constant reminder to look at ourselves and life from a clear point of view, from a pure perspective. I stare at it when I'm stuck in my head, in that place of stubbornness and holding on to beliefs and experiences that no longer serve me, and I try to look at the situation with unbiased, fresh eyes.

This, as you may know, is not always easy. Most of the time,  experiences from our past shape how we view similar experiences in the future which can prevent us from really seeing the moment or experience clearly.

I will carry my clear quartz crystal in my pocket or my purse so that when I'm faced with a moment of uncertainty or when I come up against confrontation, I can slide my hand in my pocket and be reminded that maybe I need to change my own perception and look at what is happening from a new angle.

I'm going to go as far as to say that most of us could benefit from looking at life a little different; looking at things that have happened to us, what people have said to us, and so on, from a different perspective and gain wisdom from this new point of view.

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My husband and I have been married for a little over a year. When people say that the first year of marriage is the hardest, well, they aren't lying.

My husband is my best friend, the person that knows me better than anyone, who can call me out on my bull%&$* and motivate me to try harder and be better. However, he can also push me into very uncomfortable territory, one where I am left feeling vulnerable and a little out of my league. And, I can do this to him as well. It's all part of growing in a marriage. If we always do what we always did, we will always get what we always got, and nothing would change, no one would grown.

My wedding ring is a simple band and symbolizes the unity between the two of us, the life we are slowly beginning to create with each other. The hard work and dedication. It prevents me from just thrown in the towel when things get too hard, something I've been known to do in my past.

Sometimes when I'm deep in thought or when I'm nervous I catch myself using my thumb to twirl my ring around my finger ever so slowly. Its comforting to know it is there. To know that I have a partner to dance with as I navigate this crazy, wild ride called life.

It reminds me of me. It's simple, quite, and can often go unnoticed, but the minute the light hits it, it's sparkles and shines, glistening in the sun. It's comes to life, illuminating a glow that is, at times, powerful.

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I share this with you today because I have grown to realize that having these few little reminders helps me get through the day. These constant reminders encourage me to push on, to go to places I may not necessarily feel comfortable going, and to wake up, show up, and try to live my life the best I can every day.

It's not always easy. Some days I  lack motivation, I  feel sad or have feelings pop up that were unexpected or even confusing. For me, having these few things to focus on encourages me and gives me hope that at the end of the day, I've done the best I can with what I have.

These three things remind me to push past my fears and embark on a life that is anything but ordinary.

Do you have anything that reminds you to do your best every day? Share below in the comments. If not, I encourage you to find something, anything that will remind to reach for the stars, reach for the impossible.

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